The Beagle-Jack Russell mix is a firecracker of a dog with a unique and strong personality. If you are planning to bring a Jack-a-bee home and are looking for some information, then this post will help you.
Suitable Housing
The Jack-a-bee, though not a big breed, requires a yard and lots of space to run around due to its high energy level. Make sure that the yard you have is securely fenced, as this dog can bolt after a scent before you realize what has happened. And also make the fence high, because this breed specializes in high jumping, and will leap over the fence once its nose overpowers it.
Beagle-Jack Russell mix or Jack Russell-Beagle mix, no matter which way you put it, you are going to end up with a rather unique dog who is an absolute gem. Its name sounds eerily like the Jack-o-lantern, but believe me, there is nothing spooky about this dog. In fact, it is a lively little pooch with a heart of gold and the nose of a Beagle! The Jack-a-bee is a delightful dog to watch, although its level of enthusiasm and activity can be overwhelming for some. Safe to say that it is not really a suitable pet for the laid back folk. It is very smart and eager to please those it loves. This was just an introduction; keep reading to find out some more facts about the Jack-a-bee dog breed.
Physical Characteristics
The Jack-a-bee is a medium-sized dog that stands between both its parents. It is slightly bigger than the Jack Russell Terrier (JRT), but smaller than the Beagle. It is 13 to 16 inches tall, and weighs between 15 and 30 pounds. It has floppy ears, a very powerful nose, and a high-set tail. The thing with a mix is that you cannot predict what it will look like; it depends on which parent your pup tends towards.
The coat of the Jack-a-bee is short, fine, and single-layered. This makes it useless in extreme weathers for protection purpose. Coat colors are not very versatile as both the parent breeds look pretty similar. Hence, the variations found in a Jack-a-bee will be white, tan, and brown in different combinations. Some puppies may even take after the Beagle, having spots on the skin. When planning on getting a mix breed home, always look up some pictures on the net to get a fair idea of what to expect.
Mom ‘n’ Dad
Personality Traits
Tricky to predict with a mix, temperament is something that can vary greatly even within the same litter. It is usually at one end of the spectrum, with a pup taking after one parent more than the other. The Jack-a-bee comes from two very independent and intelligent parents, so we know how that will turn out. The headstrong nature may prevail, especially when it comes to following rules. Don’t get me wrong, this breed is not a nuisance; it simply requires more patience.
Personality-wise, the Jack-a-bee is a wonderful dog. It is loving, friendly, loyal, and alert. It loves, loves, looooves its family, and cannot tolerate long intervals of separation (this can lead to anxieties). It basks in human attention and is forever ready to participate in all family activities. It is a very affectionate dog that mixes well with everyone in the family. It is good with children and other pets if raised with them. It warms up to older children faster, as they are not quite as rough players as smaller kids. It is very protective of its family and makes a good watchdog due to its alert nature. It is a great family dog.
Training Method
As mentioned before, this dog has an inherent stubborn streak. This makes training a little more challenging, as you will have to include various and interesting activities for your dog to do, to keep his/her interest in the process sustained. Patience, encouragement, positive reinforcement and consistency are all equally essential. Yelling at or scolding your dog will be futile, and nothing will be achieved, except creating a negative image about training in your dog’s mind.
Being on the smarter side though, the Jack-a-bee is a very fast grasper, which is a plus point. It can understand commands very fast, and perform them in a few tries; it does not need to be told too many times. This is also a rather easy breed to housebreak. Once the rules are laid down, the Jack-a-bee seldom tries to defy them.
Socialization is extremely important with this breed as it has a tendency to grow into a timid or nervous adult. Puppy kindergarten or dog parks are good places for mingling with other people and pets. You can even take your pup out for a daily walk through the neighborhood, interacting with everyone on the way. This process is crucial to avoid behavior issues in the future because if those habits set in, it is very difficult to break them. This will be difficult for both you and your dog.
Exercise Requirement
The Jack-a-bee is an active breed. It loves to run, walk, play, and sniff! Two walks a day along with a visit to the dog park or some running around in the yard form the basic exercise routine of this dog. One very important thing to remember is never to let your dog off the lead while walking unless he/she has been completely trained. The Jack-a-bee is part Beagle, and this side can spring into action any time, compelling the dog to take off after a new, intriguing scent. Once it goes, it goes. Dogs like these can have difficulty in finding their way back home. And it is not easy to catch them when they are hot on the trail of a new scent. Selective deafness quickly sets in here, and you become as good as invisible to your dog. So to avoid such incidents, let your dog off lead only in securely-fenced areas.
How to Groom
The Jack-a-bee is a shedder, and not a low one. There will be shedding all year round, but regular brushing will ensure that it does not redecorate your house interiors. Occasional bathing, as and when needed, is sufficient. Other than that, this is a very low-maintenance breed with no meticulous grooming requirements. The thin coat of this breed does not offer any protection against extreme weather. Hence, keep your dog indoors on frigid, sweltering, and rainy days.
Health Issues
The Jack-a-bee is a fairly healthy breed with no known health problems that are severe. The only issue to look out for is allergies of the skin, and a resultant eye and nose irritation. The average lifespan of this breed is 12 to 14 years.
The Beagle-Jack Russell mix is an excellent family dog, safe to say. Now that you know what its care entails, you can be well-prepared before getting your bundle of joy home, so that you all can make some immortal memories together. Don’t forget to check the web for adoptable Jackabees and if you choose to rescue you can also say you saved a life!
